A South Bend Common Council member is pushing back against Mayor James Mueller following a vote to pause plans for the Midwest Continental Divide Trail.

At-large Councilman Oliver Davis issued a statement after the council voted 7-to-1 Monday in favor of putting the project on hold.

Davis criticized Mueller’s opposition to the decision and argued that property owners who could be affected by the trail should have had more input earlier in the planning process.

Davis also raised questions about project spending and the potential use of eminent domain.

Mueller has criticized the council’s action, accusing opponents of playing politics and raising concerns about whether the move conflicts with state law.

Davis says the issue should be about fairness for affected residents rather than partisan politics.​